Extremely Rare Silver-Mounted Japanese Snaphaunce Pistol, c. 1650

.54 caliber, 5 1/2-inch octagonal barrel with flared and molded muzzle set with foresight, The barrel was probably forged in the same technique as swords of the region by using successive thin layers of steel laminated to produce a stronger material. The breech fitted with gilt-brass straps (for securing barrel to stock) and gilt-brass triggerguard. The lock is modeled on the European snaphaunce lock circa 1620-30. An ornately chiseled mechanism, depicting a three-clawed Dragon, symbol of hidden knowledge and supernatural power, and incorporating a Buddhist ceremonial sword encrusted in silver on the battery bridle. The fine relief work is related to that of a much-prized school of Tsuba design common during the 17th-century which suggests it may have been created by an accomplished artist of that discipline. The brass-covered pan is similar in design to many Japanese matchlocks of the period. The finely carved hardwood stock is superior in design and execution, reflecting the height of the gun-making art in 17th-century Japan.

Condition: Excellent, repaired fine crack at fore-end along right-side.

Note: The first Portuguese traders arriving in Japan in 1543 brought with them matchlock firearms which greatly impressed the Japanese shoguns and officials. An account of the early expeditions records that six and a half months after the presentation of a single musket to the ruler of Nagasaki, local craftsmen had produced six hundred representative copies and that by the mid 1550s there were over three hundred thousand examples throughout the Japanese empire. The ease with which the matchlock mechanism could be reproduced and the fact that Japan remained a closed society for centuries made advancements in firearms near non-existent, despite the fact that the flintlock system had been in use by the Portuguese until their expulsion from Japan in 1639. The lack of any mention of flintlocks in Japanese records of the period emphasizes the rarity of this early snaphaunce pistol strongly suggests that it was once the property of a high-ranking government official or shogun.

A testimonial letter written by Mr. Ian Bottomley Senior Curator, Oriental Department, Royal Armouries, Leeds, praising the quality of this pistol accompanies this lot. Mr. Bottomley states:
" I have never seen a Japanese gun having such a lavishly decorated lock and stock; this is really spectacular. At best there might be a little engraving of scrolls and tendrils on the lockplate with perhaps some lacquer decoration on the stock but nothing like this."

Provenance: William Goodwin Renwick Collection.

Estimate: $20000 - $30000